Adjustable double gusset waistband assembly for garments



J. H. PURVES July 27, 1954 ADJUSTABLE DOUBLE GUSSET WAISTBAND ASSEMBLY FOR GARMENTS Filed June 10, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR. JOHN H. PURVES ATTORNEYS J. H. PURVES July 27, 1954 ADJUSTABLE DOUBLE GUS-SET WAISTBAND ASSEMBLY FOR GARMENTS Filed June 10, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN H. PURVES ATTORNEYS Patented July 27, 1954 UNITE ST OFFIQE ADJUSTABLE DOUBLE GUSSET WAISTBAND ASSEMBLY FOR GARMENTS John H. Purves, Borne, Ind., assignor to Winner, Inc., Berne, Ind., a, corporation of Indiana 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved adjustable waistband for use with nether garments worn by both sexes.

An important object is to provide an automatically adjustable waistband garment so constructed and arranged as to present a neat, smooth and close fit about the waist and which conceals the spaced points of adjustment.

A further object is to provide the back of the garment with separate portions forming end panels and an intermediate panel. The end panels are provided with inwardly extendin tabs connected by an elastic element. The sides of the intermediate panel each preferably have a pair of gussets or extension flaps to which are connected elastic elements that are also connected to the adjacent end panels so as to insure uniform tension about the waist of the wearer and which are readily extensible and contractible to allow comfortable adjustment of the garment at the waistband when the wearer moves to diiferent sitting, bending, lying and standing positions, and which provide means for avoiding unsightly wrinkles and gatherin s of the garment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a nether garment such as a ladys skirt provided with an ad- J'ustable waistband constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view with parts in section of the back of the garment shown in Figure 1 taken in the direction of the exposed side thereof;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the adjustable waistband in its expanded position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line t8 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view with parts removed taken along the line 1-? of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a detailed perspective View with parts in section showing the inner side of the back of the garment, and

Figure 10 is a detailed perspective View with parts in section showing the intermediate panel moved away from an end panel and the space therebetween closed by a gusset.

For the purpose of illustration, a nether garment, such as a ladys skirt H3, is shown having the improved adjustable waistband assembly associated therewith. The skirt iii is preferably made of a continuous piece of suitable fabric or material and without having a separate waistband on the outside thereof. The front I l is separated on one side from the back l2, preferably 7 by a vertical slit so as to form the separate or interrupted overlapping end portions [3 and [4 (Fig. 1) that extend upwardly to the top of the garment, and which may be opened or closed in any suitable manner such as by the zipper Hi. The back i2 has transversely spaced vertical slits l6 and I? (Fig. 3) so as to form an intermediate panel or section it and similarly formed end panels or sections l9 and 20 that provide the extensible and contractible portions of the garment and with which are associated the separate adjustable elastic means for maintaining the garment comfortably in a neat and tight fitting position around the waist of the wearer.

The smooth front H of the garment extends from the end I3 (Fig. i) to the opposite side where it merges or is connected to the adjacent end panel IS. A tape or waistband lining 2| is attached by a longitudinal line of stitching to the inner side of the front II and to the panel l9 (Fig. l). The panel 19 adjacent the slit opening [6 is turned inwardly and has secured thereto one end of a tab member or reduced portion 22 which is sewed thereto by the stitching 23 (Fig. 8). The tab 22 extends outwardly a limited distance so as to slidably overlap the adjacent inner side of the intermediate panel 18. To the outer end of the tab 22 is secured an elastic element 24 by the stitchin 25. A separate tape lining 26 (Fig. 1) is stitched to the inner side of the intermediate back panel id as at 2'1 (Fig. 1) and is of substantially the same width as the tape 2i so as to constitute a continuation thereof and form therewith a waistband lining which extends continuously around the inner side of the garment adjacent the Waist of the wearer. The lining M is preferably formed with a folded reentrant portion 28 (Fig. 8) which provides a recess into which is inserted one end of an auxiliary elastic element 29 that is secured in place by the vertical row of stitching 30. The tape 2| then extends forwardly so as to be secured by the stitching 25 to the elastic element 24 on the side opposite to that of the tab 22. The other end panel 2! has extending inwardly therefrom a tab 22 (Fig. 6) which is secured thereto by a line of stitching 23. The tab 22 is similar in size and shape to the tab 22 and is in transverse alignment therewith so as to be connected to the adjacent end of the elastic element 2% by the line of stitching 25'.

Associated with each of the slits it and H on the back of the garment are spaced pairs of movable closing members such as gussets or flaps 32 and respectively (Fig. 2), which are made of the same material and of the same color as the garment, and which are similar to each other in size and shape. Each pair of the flexible closing means includes an outer gusset 35 i and an inner gusset 3%. The outer gusset 34 of the pair 32 extends between the inner side of the panel i9 and the tape it (Fig. 8) so as to be secured to the panel 59 by the line of stitching- 23, in order to be bodily movable upon longitudinal displacement I thereof. The inner gusset 35 of the pair of gussets 32 is secured to the tape lining 2i and the adjacent end of the auxiliary elastic element 25 by the vertical row of stitching 3! (Fig. 8). Thus, it will be seen that when the panels :8 and i9 are moved longitudinally away from each other the opening formed between the sides of these panels is closed by the outer gusset 35 so as to insure the garment having at all times a neat and attractive appearance and irrespective of whether or not the panels are in their normal position or moved longitudinally or lengthwise away from each other. It will be noted that the inner gusset 35 coacts with the auxiliary tape lining 2% to form a loop portion 35 through which slidably extends the elastic element 29 (Fig. 9) that is connected to these parts by the stitching 3i and which allows the back panel l8 to be moved longitudinally away from the panel l9. Similarly, the tape 22, which constitutes a longitudinal extension of the panel [9, extends loosely in the rear of the panel it so as to be connected to the adjacent end of the elastic element 24 by the stitching 25 in order that lengthwise or longitudinal displacement of the panels relative to each other may be effected.

The end panel 26 is connected to the back panel id in the same manner as the panel i9, and has a tape lining 31 extendin from the slit end it. and secured to the inner side of the panel adjacent the waistband, by a line of stitching so as to constitute a continuation of the tape lining 28 on the panel E8. The lining 3? is folded inwardly upon itself as at 38 to form a recess into which is inserted an auxiliary elastic element 353 and is secured thereto by the vertical line of stitching at (Fig. 6). The elastic element 39 is similar in size and shape to the elastic element 29 and is positioned between the inner gusset 36 of the pair of gussets 33 and the lining 26, and is suitably secured to these parts by the stitching 3!. The outer gusset as of the pair of closing means 33 is secured to the inner side of the end panel 28 by the row of stitching 23. The lining tape 31 extends inwardly from the recess 38 so as to be secured by the stitching 25' to the adjacent end of the elastic element 24. The gussets 34 and 36 of each pair of gussets 32 and 33 are free and unattached so as to constitute fiat extensions that move bodily with the panels when they are expanded or contracted and serve to close the openings between the slits l6 and El which would otherwise be visible when the end panels are expanded relative to the intermediate panel.

Thus it will be seen that the end panels 59 and (ill .1. ment.

20 are provided with similarly formed elastic elements 29 and 39 suitably connected to the adjacent ends of the intermediate panel is. Additionally, the end panels I9 and 20 have inwardly extending longitudinally spaced tabs which are loosely positioned between the rear of the intermediate panel i8 and its associated linin tape 26. The panels l9 and 20 are connected together by the elastic element 2 3 which is independent or free from the back panel i8 so as to be movable longitudinally relative thereto. Thus it will be seen that when one of the end sections or panels moved outwardly relative to the intermediate section, it will not cause the formation of an unsightly space between the sections but rather provides means which actuates the gussets 32 and 33 to close the opening formed by the movement of the adjacent sections away from each other. In other words, the adjustable means insures the waistband of the garment readily conforming in size and shape to the waist of the wearer without causing wrinkling or gathering of the garment.

The intermediate panel i8 has its opposite ends provided with the laterally extending flexible gussets or inserts 32 and 33 that close the openings formed by movement of the end panels away from the back intermediate panel. Additionall associated with each of the gussets connected to the intermediate panel is an auxiliary elastic element such as 29 or 33, which is connected to the adjacent end panel by the tape lining and to the adjacent gusset and the auxiliary lining by suitable stitching. It will be noted that the three coacting elastic elements are positioned on the inside of the panels so as to be concealed from view and that no unsightly parts are displayed when the panels are moved relative to one another. Thus, an adjustable waistband construction is provided which will insure the garment snugly and properly fitting the waist of the wearer without tailoring or alterations and which will readily yield to insure the wearer freedom and comfort without becoming loose around the waist of the gar- In order to avoid raw edges and provide a smooth finish, the panels are connected to the waistband lining and other parts preferably by having inturned edges or hems that are connected together by lines of stitching such as shown in Figure 5. It will be manifest that the separate panels may be located on the waistband portion of the garment so as to be positioned in front of or on either side of the waist of the wearer instead of the back, and the panels connected by elastic members so as to operate in the same manner as above-described. Further, instead of a pair of gussets, a single gusset or flap may be connected to one of the adjacent panels and overlap the other to close the slit opening formed when the panels are moved away from each other.

It will be manifest that the adjustable waistband assembly may be used with numerous types of garments such as pants, slacks, skirts, and

5. that the form of the invention shown is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment and that such changes may be made as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A waistband garment of the class described having the back thereof provided with spaced vertical slits for forming the garment with an intermediate panel and separate end panels on each side of the intermediate panel, each of said end panels having inwardly extending spaced aligned tabs positioned on the inner side of the intermediate panel and overlapping the same, an elastic element connecting said tabs, a waist band lining tape connected to the inner side of said end panels and said tabs, said end panels and said intermediate panel adjacent said slits being provided with pairs of flexible closing members of the same material as the garment, each pair of closing members including an outer gusset connected to the inner side of an end panel and an inner gusset connected to the intermediate panel so that each opening is provided with movable means for closing the same when adjacent panels are moved laterally relative to each other, an auxiliary lining tape extending transversely across the inner side of the intermediate panel and the inner gussets and disposed in substantial alignment with the lining tape .on said end panels, longitudinally spaced auxiliary elastic elements connected to the lining tapes on the end panels and overlapping the ends of the intermediate panel, and means connecting each of the auxiliary elastic elements to an adjacent end panel.

2. A waistband garment of the class described having the back thereof provided with spaced vertical slits for forming the garment with an intermediate panel and separate end panels on each side of the intermediate panel, each of said end panels having inwardly extending spaced tabs positioned on the inner side of the intermediate panel and overlapping the same, an elastic element connecting said tabs, a lining tape connected to the inner side of said end panels and said tabs, said end panels and said intermediate panel adjacent said openings being provided with pairs of spaced closing members, each pair of members including separate inner and outer gussets one of which is connected to the inner side of an end panel and the other to the intermediate panel so that each opening is provided with means for closing the same when the end panels are moved outwardly relative to the intermediate panel, an auxiliary lining tape extending transversely across the inner side of the intermediate panel and the inner gusset of each pair of members and disposed in substantial alignment with the lining tapes on said end panels so as to form a continuation thereof, the lining tapes on the end panels adjacent said openings each having secured thereto an auxiliary elastic element, and each of the auxiliary elastic elements extending inwardly between adjacent inner gussets and the auxiliary lining and secured to said auxiliary lining so as to be longitudinally displaced when the outer panels are moved relative to the intermediate panel.

3. A waistband garment of the class described having the back thereof provided with spaced vertical slits for forming the garment with an intermediate panel and separate end panels on each side of the intermediate panel, each of said end panels having inwardly extending spaced aligned tabs positioned on the inner side of the intermediate panel and overlapping the same, an elastic element connecting said tabs, a waistband lining tape connected to the inner side of said end panels and said tabs, flexible closing members connected to the garment adjacent the slits, an auxiliary lining tape extending transversely across the inner side of the intermediate panel, and longitudinally spaced auxiliary elastic elements connected to the lining tapes on the end panels and to the auxiliary lining tape.

4. A waistband garment of the class described having the back thereof provided with spaced vertical slits for forming the garment with an intermediate panel and separate end panels on each side of the intermediate panel, each of said end panels having inwardly extending spaced aligned tabs positioned on the inner side of the intermediate panel and overlapping the same, an elastic element connecting said tabs, a waistband lining tape connected to the inner side of said end panels and said tabs, flexible gussets connected to the garment adjacent said slits for closing the opening formed between adjacent panels when the panels are moved laterally relative to each other, an auxiliary lining tape extending across the inner side of the intermediate panel, spaced auxiliary elastic elements connected to the auxiliary lining tape and extending outwardly from opposite sides thereof, and means connecting each auxiliary element to an adjacent end panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 490,274 Great Britain Aug. 11, 1938 

